in zoology, a mongrel kind of quadruped, usually generated between an ass and a mare, and sometimes between a horse and a she-ass; but the signification of the word is commonly extended to every kind of animal produced by a mixture of two different species. There are two kinds of these animals; one from the he-ass and mare, the other from the horse and the she-ass. We call them indifferently mules, but the Romans distinguished them by proper appellations. The first kind are the best and most esteemed; as being larger, stronger, and having least of the ass in their disposition. The largest and stoutest asses, and the fairest and finest mares, are chosen in those countries where these creatures are most in use; as in Spain, Italy, and Flanders. In the last especially, they succeeded in having very stately mules from the size of their mares, some of them 16 and some 17 hands high, which are very serviceable as sumpter-mules in the army. But since the Low Countries are no longer under the dominion of Spain, they breed fewer mules. These creatures are very much commended for their being stronger, surer footed, going easier, being more cheaply maintained, and lasting longer than horses. They are commonly of a black-brown, or quite black, with that shining list along the back and crofs the shoulders which distinguishes asses. In former times they were much more common in this country than at present; being often brought over in the days of Popery by the Italian prelates. They continued longest in the service of millers; and are yet in use among them in some places, on account of the great loads they carry on their back. As they are capable of being trained for riding, bearing burdens, and for draught, there is no doubt that they might be usefully employed in many different services. But they are commonly found to be vicious, stubborn, and obstinate to a proverb; which whether it occasions or is produced by the ill usage they meet with, is a point not easily settled. Whatever may be the case of asses, it is allowed that mules are larger, fairer, and more serviceable in mild than in warm climates. In the British American colonies, both on the continent and in the islands, but especially in the latter, they are much used and esteemed; so that they are frequently sent to them from hence, suffer less in the passage, and die much seldomer than horses, and commonly yield, when they arrive, no inconsiderable profit.

It has commonly been asserted, that animals produced by the mixture of two heterogeneous species are incapable of generating, and thus perpetuating the monstrous breed; but this, we are informed by M. Buffon, is now discovered to be a mistake. Aristotle, says he, tells us, that the mule engenders with the mare, and that the junction produces an animal which the Greeks call binnus, or ginus. He likewise wife remarks, that the she-mule easily conceives, but seldom brings the fetus to perfection. But the most remarkable and well attested instance of this fact, is mentioned in a letter read by M. d'Alembert before the academy of sciences, which informed him that a she-mule in the island of St Domingo had brought forth a foal. The fact was attested by persons of the most unquestionable veracity; and other instances, though not so well authenticated, are adduced by our author. We may therefore, continues M. Buffon, consider it as an established fact, that the he-mule can generate and the she-mule produce. Like other animals, they have a seminal liquor, and all the organs necessary to generation. But mongrel animals are always less fertile and more tardy than those of a pure species. Besides, mules have never produced in cold climates, seldom in warm regions, and still more seldom in temperate countries. Hence their barrenness, without being absolute, may be regarded as positive; since their productions are so rare, that a few examples can be only collected.

The translator of Buffon's works, in a note on the passage above-quoted, has given a remarkable and well authenticated instance of the prolific powers of a she-mule in the north of Scotland. Having heard that a mule, belonging to Mr David Tullo farmer in Auchtertyre, in the county of Forfar, had some years ago brought forth a foal, he transmitted a few queries to be put to Mr Tullo; and requested that his answers might be legally attested before a magistrate. This request was cheerfully complied with; and the following is an exact copy of the queries, answers, and attestations.

Interrogatories to be put to Mr Tullo tenant in Auchtertyre, parish of Newtyle, and county of Forfar, with his answers thereto.

1st. Had you ever a she-mule? At what period? Is it true that the mule had a foal? At what time was she covered; and when did she foal?—Answered by Mr Tullo: That he bought a she-mule about 20 years ago; That she was constantly in season for a horse; That, about some years thereafter, he gave her a horse; and that she thereafter gave him a foal, about the 10th of June. The mule's price was L. 4, 5s. Sterling.

2nd. What was the colour of the foal? Was there any thing particular in its figure?—Answer: The foal was exactly the colour of its mother, inclined to black, with a very large head, big ears, and small tail; and the declarant thinks, had its head been weighed when foaled, it would have weighed nearly as much as its body.

3rd. How long was the animal allowed to live?—Answer: The next day after the mule foaled, it was sent, with its mother, to the Loch of Lundie, in order to let the foal die, as the declarant could not want the mule's work, and the mother seemed not fond of the foal: That it was accordingly left, and next day came to Auchtertyre, about two miles distance, over a hill, with the cattle of Auchtertyre, that had been grazing near to that place, and was drowned in a ditch the day following.

4th. Was its skin preserved, or the head, or any other bones of the skeleton? Could any part thereof be still found?—Answered: Neither the skin nor any part of the skeleton was preserved, nor can be now had; though the declarant has often regretted the not preserving the foal, as its mother always performed any work that a horse of 1 l. value could do.

5th. Is the mother still alive? What is her age?—Answer: The mother died about eight years ago, of an epidemic cold that was raging among the horses in this country: The mule had little, or no milk after foaling, and the foal got some cow's milk: And this is all that he remembers of the matter. David Tullo.

Auchtertyre, 4th Feb. 1780. We James Small tenant in Burmouth, and Robert Ramsay tenant in Newtyle, hereby certify, That we have often seen the mule above-described; and we know that she had a foal, as is narrated by David Tullo.

James Small. Rob. Ramsay.

Ballantyne house, 4th Feb. 1780. The within interrogatories were put to David Tullo tenant in Auchtertyre, anent the mule he had, and the foal she produced; to which he gave the answers subjoined to each query, and signed them; as did James Small and Robert Ramsay, attesting the truth thereof, in presence of George Watson, J.P.

The original attestation is in the possession of the translator; and he lately transmitted notarial or authenticated copies of it to the count de Buffon, and to Thomas Pennant, Esq. of Downing, in Flintshire.

Mules, among gardeners, denote a sort of vegetable monsters produced by putting the farina fecundans of one species of plant into the pistil or utricle of another.

The carnation and sweet-william being somewhat alike in their parts, particularly their flowers, the farina of the one will impregnate the other, and the seed so enlivened will produce a plant differing from either. An instance of this we first had in Mr Fairchild's garden at Hoxton; where a plant is seen neither sweet-william nor carnation, but resembling both equally: this was raised from the seed of a carnation that had been impregnated by the farina of the sweet-william. These couplings being not unlike those of the mare with the ass, which produce the mule, the same name is given them; and they are, like the others, incapable of multiplying their species.

This furnishes a hint for altering the property and taste of any fruit, by impregnating one tree with the farina of another of the same class; e.g., a codlin with a pear-main, which will occasion the codlin so impregnated to last a longer time than usual, and to be of a sharper taste. Or if the winter-fruits be fecundated with the dust of the summer kinds, they will ripen before their usual time. And from this accidental coupling of the farina of one with another, it may possibly be, that an orchard where there is variety of apples, even the fruit gathered from the same tree differ in their flavour, and in the season of maturity. It is also from the same accidental coupling that the numberless varieties of fruits and flowers raised every day from seed proceed.

Wild or Fecund Mule. See Equus, p. 712.